Der umtriebige Musique-actuelle-Drummer Pierre Tanguay, der aus Antwerpen stammende Saxophonist Erwin Vann und der Brüsseler Bassist Michel Mergaerts, mit Jahrgang 1950 der Seniorpartner, nannten ihr Trio nach dem Flughafen von Montréal YUL und den 12 Stücken auf Departure (MAM 005) gaben sie Vornamen. Während sich Vann auf MySpace einen Harem zugelegt hat, sind hier auch Männernamen vertreten. Die Musik ist tatsächlich eine intime, freundschaftliche, oft sogar zärtlich schmusende. Mergaerts spielt elektrisch, wie ansonsten auch Michel Hatzigeorgiou in Vanns belgischen Bands. Dennoch bleibt der Tenor durchwegs mild und melodiös, nur Nazumi scheint ein temperamentvolles Wesen zu sein, die Tanguay in Feuereifer versetzt und Vann von der Garbarek- zur Coltraneseite wechseln lässt. Sarah ist dann schon wieder Gegenstand tagträumerischer Schwelgerei, wenn auch melancholisch angehaucht. Mergaerts schleicht sich auf Samtpfoten an Marion heran und wer würde nicht gern Caroline heißen, um so süß angesungen zu werden wie von Vann? Tintin ist dann süß und funky zugleich. Aber sind sie nicht alle zum Seufzen schön und liebenswert?

Torna dopo un silenzio di dieci anni uno dei progetti più stimolanti dell’instancabile sassofonista canadese Jean Derome: i suoi Dangereux Zhoms — nei quali troviamo altri nomi imprescindibili della scena Ambiances Magnétiques come il trombonista Tom Walsh e il batterista Pierre Tanguay — sono un organico che ama fondere l’improvvisazione e la scrittura contemporanea, rincorrendo con felice sintesi le più disparate possibilità lessicali della musica di oggi. Sei composizioni di Derome, terreno di splendide invenzioni, irrequiete e coinvolgenti, in grado di abbracciare un testo di Richard Serra come una favola di La Fontaine, per un lavoro ad alto tasso creativo. Ottimo! (8/10)

Troviamo il batterista Tanguay anche in Yul/Departure, disco pubblicato per la Malasartes Musique, una consorella della Ambiances, in trio con il bassista Michel Mergaerts e il sassofonista belga Erwin Vann. Personalità differenti che si mettono al servizio reciproco, nulla di particolarmente nuovo o imperdibile, ma non mancano energia e sfumature davvero azzeccate. (7/10)

Two new releases from the small Malasartes label that is run by Damian Nisenson.

Linsey Wellman (alto and soprano sax) and Mike Essoudry (drums, percussion) are together here for their first effort. In thirteen pieces that are composed and arranged by themselves, they play charming duets. In most pieces Wellman leads with his beautiful saxplaying. He has a nice tone, and there is some eastern touch in his playing. But Essoudry places many effective accents with his reduced playing. Together they built nice atmospheres. Most pieces are of a meditative nature. Inspired music it is.

Yul is a trio of Pierre Tanguay (drums), Erwin Vann (saxes) and Michel Mergaerts (bass). Tanguay needs no introduction. He left his mark on dozens of albums, many of them on the Ambiances Magnétiques label. Vann and Mergaerts are both from Belgium. Vann is a professional since 1985. Worked with Toots Thielemans, Wayne Shorter, Paolo Fresu, Marc Ducret, Bobby Previte, a.o. Michel Mergaerts from Brussels, started his career as a blues guitarist. Later he played with belgian jazz giants as Steve Houben, Pirly Zurstrassen and Jean-Louis Rassinfosse. Since about seven years he lives in Canada, playing with vocalist Julie Lebon and Trioxyde, a prog-rock/jazz outfit. The three met in 2005 and started their Yul-project. The title of their CD refers to a common experience for all three of them: passing airports. Compared to the cd by Wellman and Essoudry this one is much more close to jazz. The playing of Vann is delicate and poetic. A lyrical player. Mergaerts produces a warm sound from his bass. Tanguay is the most eccentric of the three with his polyrhytmic playing. But if you don’t share their love for jazz, this one will not talk to you.